KOSCIUSKO — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced Rob Parker, president and CEO of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in the third cohort of its premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.

Rob Parker

“Education and Workforce are paramount to the success of a nation. In Kosciusko County, our cluster of Orthopedic companies are the envy of many other communities. Beyond Orthopedics, we have many other national and international leaders in business and manufacturing. Making sure that our community has a diverse and plentiful workforce capable of solving tomorrow’s problems is critical to our growth and success”, commented Parker.

“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” says Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the Center for Education and Workforce. “They, better than anyone, see the critical link between education and economic development, and we are glad to be able to support them as they take on this critical leadership role in their community.”

Following a competitive application and selection process, Rob Parker was selected along with 33 other state and local chamber executives to participate in the third class of this program. The four-month program, which concludes in September 2019, will cover the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, higher education and workforce development.

Upon completion, Business Leads Fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of 200 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.

For a full list of participants in the Business Leads Fellowship Program, visit the U.S. Chamber Foundation website.